EHD disease found in OR deer population

09/09/14 -- Tests have confirmed that deer in the Roseburg area are dying from Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), a disease that has not been seen in deer in this area of Oregon before. Lab results from Oregon State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab tested positive for EHD late last week. This year, more than 100 deer have died in the Roseburg area with similar symptoms. Most of the deer were found in the Fisher Road area west of Roseburg or near Umpqua Community College.

EHD is transmitted to deer via the bites of Culicoides gnats (no-see-ums). Columbian white-tailed deer are particularly susceptible but it can affect black-tailed deer as well. Both a black-tailed deer and a Columbian white-tailed deer collected in the Roseburg area tested positive for EHD. Additional samples of other deer found dead are being tested.
ODFW wildlife veterinarian Colin Gillin said EHD symptoms resemble those of the more common Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease (AHD). EHD causes weakness, excessive salivation and bloody diarrhea. Deer with EHD also develop a rapid pulse and respiration rate and fevers – which is why they are frequently found lying in bodies of water to reduce their body temperature. Deer finally become unconscious and die.

Rain and cold weather could help“We have never seen EHD before in this area, and it’s a new threat to deer,” said Tod Lum, Umpqua District wildlife biologist. “Low water conditions and pools of stagnant water along the rivers provide ideal breeding conditions for the gnats that transmit EHD. There isn’t much we can do to prevent this disease other than wait for the rains to come or cold temperatures to knock back the gnats.”

Lum still recommends people stop feeding deer or providing them with water so as not to artificially concentrate them in a small area. Also, clean water troughs, fountains and bird baths if deer are using them. “These steps will help reduce the risk of disease spreading,” Lum said.
There have also been reports of more than 200 dead deer in Jackson and Josephine counties. Samples from those deer tested positive for the more common AHD, which is spread through nose to nose contact.

Livestock also susceptibleBecause EHD is transmitted through gnats, livestock can also be affected.

“Domestic livestock can certainly be exposed to the virus, but our experience with EHD shows cattle and sheep rarely exhibit clinical signs,” says Dr. Brad LeaMaster, State Veterinarian with the Oregon Department of Agriculture. “A very small percentage of animals can develop symptoms that can include fever, loss of appetite, lameness, ulcers and crusty sores on the nose, mouth and teats. There is no vaccine for EHD in cattle.”

LeaMaster says livestock owners should contact their local veterinarian if they notice any of their animals showing signs of disease. “I would like veterinarians to contact my office if they see cattle with erosions or lesions in the mouth to rule out foreign animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease,” LeaMaster said.

EHD cannot spread to people from animals.

Anyone who sees a sick deer in the Roseburg area should call the Roseburg ODFW office at 541-440-3353 or the Wildlife Health Hotline at 1-866-968-2600. Currently, archery deer hunting and some controlled deer hunts are open in southwest Oregon and any hunter who harvests a sick deer should also contact ODFW.

More Hunting News

Conservation Key to Future of Hunting

11/14/16 -- At its core, conservation seeks sustainability of wildlife and wild places. Ethical hunters want wild animals to flourish in their natural habitat as much as possible, and will act on their behalf in order to protect and conserve... Full Story

​I Was an Indoor (Outdoor) Slave

04/07/16 -- I wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all those kind folks who sent me "get well" cards and flowers during my recent, self-imposed stay at the Broken Antlers Rehabilitation Clinic. I'm especially indebted... Full Story

Nash Buckingham

Theophilus Nash Buckingham (1880-1971) was an American author and conservationist from Tennessee. He is known for being an avid shotgunner and wingshot, and a best-loved outdoor writer of his time... Full Story

How much venison do hunters harvest?

06/17/15 -- The Dallas Safari Club (DSC) intends to find out. A study
launching in 2015 will measure the actual amounts of venison and other
wild protein harvested annually in North America. Researchers will
assess the nutritional... Full Story

Pups & Partridges on the Calapooia Prairie

By Gary Lewis
02/18/15 -- They say a great pointing dog only comes along once or twice in a hunter's lifetime. Some dogs don't have the heart or the desire. Others don't seem to have the nose or the brain. We brought home our pudelpointer in... Full Story

DSC convention goers raise $1M in 1 minute

01/19/15 -- Responding to a heartfelt appeal for youth outdoor
education, DSC convention goers on Saturday night raised $1 million in
about 60 seconds. The fast flurry of fundraising was a highlight of the
2015 DSC convention and expo... Full Story

It’s Not over Till the Lady Sings

By Gary Lewis
01/19/15 -- If you want to avoid being attacked by a
mountain lion, conventional wisdom says, you should travel in groups. If
you encounter a mountain lion by yourself or with children, stop and
make yourself look as big as possible... Full Story

The buck we didn’t get and two we did

By Tyler Low
08/10/14 -- “Can you see him? He is just below the sky line to the left of the big live oak.” The respectable three-point stood only 500 yards away, but my hunting partner, Kyler Olson, couldn’t quite get an eye on him... Full Story

Where Are All the Pheasants?

On Patrol by Steven T. Callan
The other day a neighbor stopped by my house after two days of hunting
pheasants in the Orland area. He said that he and his golden retriever,
Milo, had probably walked ten miles and only flushed three birds.
Knowingthat I had grown up... Full Story

Ham on the Hoof

Article and photos by Gary Lewis
12/17/13 -- We were climbing a steep gravel ranch road in Charlie’s Toyota when we
saw it, as big as a full-grown bear and on a dead run. Charlie hit the
brakes and switched off the engine. There was no time to load the rifle.
The shaggy, gray... Full Story

Never say never

By Francisco Garcia
Most of you have heard the saying,
patience is a virtue, and I would say persistence is a virtue. If you
want to fill your deer tag each season you have to put your time in. If
you don’t give in and hunt hard you should be... Full Story

Hunting trip gone bad

By Francisco Garcia
If you asked me what
I’d rather be doing, most of the time I would emphatically say, deer
hunting. For me nothing gets the juices flowing and the imagination
spinning like the arrival of bow or rifle season for deer. When... Full Story

A preview of coming attractions...if you are planning
a trip to this area be forewarned: What photographers have captured will whet your appetite for what will be an outdoor journey filled with wonders.